Apparatus for teaching music



March 17, 1931. J. M. JOLLS 1,796,845

APPARATUS FOR TEACHING MUSIC Filed March 12, 1 928 3 Sheets-Sheet. l

Invento v Jb lznjyyron Flag, ,%4. GQWM vqfifor rugy.

March 17, 1931. J. M. JOLLS 1,796,345

APPARATUS FOR TEACHING MUSIC 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2

Filed March 12; 1928 fzderdoi; dhnffjron Jo'ZZ-s;

March 17, 1931.

J. M. JO-LLS 1,796,845

APPARATUS FOR TEACHING MUSIC Filed March 12, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Jiznjyr/ronfili Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES JOHN MYRON JOLLS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA APPARATUS FOR TEACHING MUSIC Application filed March 12, 1928.

My invention relates to apparatus for teaching music, which will be particularly adaptable for quickly and eliiciently teaching the various musical scales and the intervals occurring therein, to groups or classes, where the individuals comprising such groups-or classes may or may not have had any previous musical instruction.

It is, of course, well understood by those skilled in the art, that there are two great divisions of musical scales-the chromatic scale, comprising all semitones; and the diatonic scale, comprising certain successions of whole tones and semitones in definite order.

r, The diatonic scales at present in most common use are the major, and four forms of the minor-tl1e natural or normal minor; the harmonic minor; the melodic minor ascending and descending; and the melodic minor ascending as a melodic and descending as a natural minor. The difference between these various scales is caused by the difierent arrangement of the whole tones and semitones making up the same.

My present invention contemplates the provision of certain devices adapted to be used and arranged in conjunction with each other, whereby the intervals occurring in the various musical scales may be impressed upon the minds of the students, both visually and contactually.

The object of my present invention is to provide improved apparatus for teaching music which will be particularly adaptable for use in the instruction of individuals or classes in the various musical scales and the intervals occurring therein, whereby the same will be impressed upon the minds of the students more readily than has heretofore been possible, particularly in school work.

he nature and characteristic features of my invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

Serial No. 260,941.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of my invention, comprising a device-having notches or steps formed on one edge thereof to represent the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic major scale, said steps covering two 0ctaves;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of another portion of the apparatus of my invention, comprising a group of blocks adapted to be arranged in a series, each block representing a pitch and having its pitch names designated thereon, which blocks when placed in proper consecutive order will indicate a chromatic scale;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with each of the blocks turned over, to show on the reverse side of certain of the blocks other designations for the pitches represented thereby;

Fig; 4 is a perspective view of another portion of the apparatus of my invention, comprising a device having notches or steps formed on one edge thereof, similar to those formed on the device shown in Fig. l of the 7 drawings, and likewise representing the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic major scale, but being of slightly larger dimensions and adapted to be used, if desired, in conjunction with the blocks shown in Figs. 7 2 and 3 of the drawings, by having the ends of said blocks placed against the vertical extensions of said steps in a certain order;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device simi lar to that shown in Fig. 4, but with notches or steps formed on one edge thereof to represent the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic harmonic minor scale;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another device similar to that shown in Fig. 4, but with notches or steps formed on one edge thereof to represent the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic melodic minor scale;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, illustrating the use thereof in conjunction with the blocks shown in Fig. 2, said blocks being shown so arranged as to form the major scale of F; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, illustrating the use thereof in conjunction with the blocks shown in, Figs. 2 and 3, said blocks being so arranged as to form the harmonic minor scale of C-sharp.

7 Referring to the dr wings, in Fig. 1 there i illustrated a form or embodiment of my -nvention comprising a flat member 10, prefrahly made of press board or the like, and aving notches or steps formed on one edge thereof to represent the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic or scale.

It will he noted that the horizontal extensions 11 of the steps are preferably made equal, but the v .rtical extensions of said steps are varied to represent the intervals between the pitches comprisin such scale, the long vertical extensions12 representing whole tones, and the short vertical extensions 13 representing semitones. 7 Opposite each step is the syllable name of the relative pitch represented thereby, as Do, Fe, Mi, etc. It will, of course, be understood that by varying the positions of the long and short steps, on devices similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1, the relationship of the pitches in various other scales may be indicated. 7

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is there illustrated a series of blocks 14, each representing a pitch and each having its several pitch names designated thereon. These blocks, when placed in consecutive order, as shown in the drawings, will indicate a chromatic scale. However, by arranging the same in step-like form, to represent whole tones and semitones, any of the diatonic scales may be indicated, which scales, of course, may be started on any keynote desired.

It will be seen that these blocks are designated according to the various pitch names, as A B, C, etc. As certain of the sharped pitches are regarded as having the same tone as certain of the flatted pitches, the blocks representing such pitches have both pitch names designated thereon, the sharps on the left hand side, and the flats on the right hand side, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The blocks 1-; are also adapted to be used in conjunction with the notched devices illustrated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6 of the drawings,

by placing the ends of said blocks against the vertical extensions of the steps formed on said devices, in the proper successive order, and when so used in conjunction with said devices, each of said blocks is made of the same width as the vertical extension of each step representing a semitone. Two of the blocks will, of course, be placed against the vertical extension of a step representing a whole tone, and three against the vertical extension of a step representing three semitones (see Figs. 7 and 8).

In Fig. 3 of the drawings, there is illus trated the same series of blocks as in Fig. 2, but turned over to show on the reverse side of certain of the blocks other designations for the pitches represented by the respective blocks. It is, of course, well known that every scale must contain seven pitch names, and these other designations for various pitches will be necessary in forming scales containing a large number of sharps or flats.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings there is shown a device 15, having notches or steps formed on one edge thereof, similar to those formed on the device 10 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and also representing the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic major scale, that is to say, the vertical extensions of said steps representing the intervals between the pitches comprising such scale, the long steps representing whole tones, and the short steps semitones.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings there are shown devices, 16 and 17 respectively, simi lar to the device 15 shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that these devices have notches or steps formed on one edge thereof representing the succession of whole tones and semitones in a diatonic harmonic minor and a diatonic melodic minor scale, respectively. It will be noted tl at in the harmonic minor scale, there occurs an interval of three semi- I tones. Consequently, the device 16 is provided with steps having vertical extensions 18 of a size corresponding to three semitones (see Figs. 5 and 8).

9n each side of each of the devices 15, 16 and 17, opposite each step, is the syllable name of the relative pitch represent-ed thereby, as Do, Pie, Mi, etc., similar to the lesignations on the device 10.

The devices 15, 16 and 17, illustrated in Figs. l, are made ona slightly larger scale than the device 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, as said device 10 is preferably intended to be used by having the fingers of the students placed on the steps formed thereon, while the devices 15, 16 and 17 are preferably intended to be used in conjunction with the series of blocks 14-, in which case the vertical extensions of the various stepsare adapted to accommodate one, two or three blocks, according to the length of the interval.

ld hile the blocks 14 could, if desired, be made of such width as to be used in conjunction with the notched device 10, illustrated in 1 of the drawings, it will be found in practice that blocks of such width could not he so conveniently manipulated. Like- 5 and 6 of the drawings. res ectivel 1 7 vention may also be applied to other form of musical expression, such reading, composing, or instrumental performance.

There have hereinbefore been mentioned four forms of the minor scale. However, there are illustrated but two forms of the same (the harmonic, and the melodic as ending and descending), for reasons which will no\ Y be explained.

As is well known, the natural or normal minor is formed exactly like the major, ex cept that its ireynoto or tonic is La, three semitones below the major tonic Do. It has there L l been though necessary to i=us trate I notched device for forming this scale, as he same may formed by placing L118 blo l i, designating the pitch which is J. all

of the same, on

to be the l ote or tonic step opposite the syllable La. on the device 15, notched to represent a major scale.

Reference has also been made to a melodic minor scale ascending as a melodic, anc descending a natural minor. It will be readily apoarent that his sca e may be formed by using the notched device 1'7, representin a melodic minor scale, for ascenda scale, and the no ched device 15, representing a najor scale, for descending the scale, starting with the minor tonic La.

seen that there is thus provided aching music, which will be i ich L part to the minds or" the students, by visualization and contact, the ntervals between the oitches 1n the various scales,

Having thus described the nature and characteristic features of my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

Apparatus for teaching music comprising a device having steps formed along one edge thereof to indicate the interval relationship oi the pitches in a certain scale, a suiiicient numbeof such steps being provided to cover more than one octave, the extensions or said steps in one direction being varied in proportion to the musical intervals between the pitches comprising such scale, and said device havingd signated thereon the various steps the respective vllable names or" the relative pitches of for teaching music comprisiiaving steps formed along one to indicate the interval relationsiiip of the pitches in a certain scale, a suti'icient numb r of such steps being provided to cover nior than one octave, the extensions of said steps in or e lirection being substantially equal and tie extensions of said steps in the other direction being varied in proportion to the musical intervals between the .t hes comprising such scale, and said device having designated thereon at the various steps the res ective syllable names of the relative pitches of the scale.

Apparatus for teaching music comprising irality of devices each having steps formed along one'edge thereof to indicate the interval relationship of the pitches in a cer- 11 scale, a sufiicient number of such steps being provided to cover more than one octave,

ensions of said steps in one direction substantially equal and the extensions steps in the 0th r direction being 1 --.i proportion to the musical intervals fl ches comprising such scale, said levices having designated he various steps the respective of the relative pitches of the Apps atus for teaching music comprising s of lcclrs ach representing a racter on a sharped to end :trom the itch, and the s gnating a tlatted pitch, and

i aid blocks having still other desigthe reverse faces thereof for the nectively represented by such d JhG characters representing d iiatted pitches respectively apt corresponding places on the resaid blocks. us for teaching music comprisbloclrs each representing a ZCll and having its several pitch names oesio'nared thereon, the character on (1 each oi said clocks pitch appeari do a sharped the opposite end from the a 'Fatted pitch, and cert still other desigthe reverse faces thereof for the pitches respectively epres nted by such blocks, and the i of each of such blocks the charact r gnacing a sharped pitch appearing at the posits end from the character desigi'ia A r attec. pitch, and the characters representing sharped and fiatted pitches respectively appearing at corresponding places on the respective faces of said blocks.

'2'. Apparatus for teaching music comprising a device having steps formed along one edge thereof to indicate the interval relationships of the pitches in a certain scale, the extensions of said steps in one direction being varied in proportion to the number of semitones in the musical intervals between the pitches comprising such scale; and a series of blocks each representing a musical pitch and having its several pitch names designated thereon; said blocks being; of a width correspomling to the vertical extensions which represent semitones in the steps on the other device; and the ends of said blocks being ad opted. to be placed grainst sad vertical extensions, the hloclrs being arran id in proper successive order to indicate the various pitches in the scale.

8. Apparatus for teaching mnsic comprising a device having steps formed along); one edge thereof to ndicate the interval relationship of the pitches in a certain scale, the e):- tensions of said steps in one direction being varied in proportion to the number of semitones in the musical intervals between the itches comprising; such scale; and a series of hloclrs each representing: a musical. pitch and having its several pitch names designated thereon, the character on each of said block. designating a sharped pitch appearing at the opposite end from the character desin'natingr a fiatted pitch and certain of, said hlocks havinc still other designations on the reverse sides thereof for the pitches respectivelv represented bv such blocks. and on the reverse side of each of such blocks the character designating: a sh arned pitch appearina at the opposite end from the character designating a tlatt-ed. pitch: said blocks heine of a w dth corresponding to the vertical extensions which epresent semitones in the steps on the other device: and the ends of said hlocks heinn adapted to he placed against said vertical extensions" the blocks being arranged in proper successive order to indicate the various pitches in the scale.

9. Apparatus for teaching music comprisine: a device having! steps formed along one edrre thereof to indicate the interval relationship of the pitches in a certain s ale. the extensions ot said steps in one direction being varied in proportion to the number of semitones in the musical intervals between the pitches comnrisin such scale sari d device having desienated thereon at the various steps the respective svllahle names of the relative nitchcs of the scale: and a series oi blocks each representing a musical pitch and having its several pitch names designated thereon, the character on each of said bloclrs designating a sharped pitch appearing at the op osite end from the character designating a flatted pitch, and certain of said blocks havina still other designations on the reverse side thereof for the pitches respectivelv represented bv such hloclzsn and on the reverse side of each of such bloc ts the character designating a sharned pitch appearing; at the opposite end from the character designating! a flatted pitch; said blocks being of a width corresponding to the vertical extensions which rep resent semitones in the steps on the other device; and the ends of said blocks being adapted to be placed against said vertical extensions, the blocks being arranged in proper successive order to indicate the various pitches in the scale.

10. Apparatus for teaching music compris ing a device having steps formed along one edge thereof to indicate the interval relationship of tl e pitches in a certain. scale, the extensions said steps in one direction being; substantially equal and the extensions of said steps in the her direction being varied in proportion to the number of semitones in the musical intervals between the pitches comprisi such scale, said device having designated thereon at the various stegs the re pective svliahle names of the relative pitches of the scale; and a series of blocks each representing a musical pitch and h ving its several pitch names designated thereon,

the character on each of said. blocks dv ignating' a sharped pitch. appearing at the openrl f cm the character designating and certain of said blocks still othe nations on the reverse hereof tor the pitches respectively re J 1 1 r resenteu by such blocks, ano on he revel side o' each oi such blocks the character deslgl'lzlcillg a shaped pitch appearin l til opposite end from the character desigin a fiatted pitch; said olocl s lacing of a widt corresponding to the vertical extensio;

which represent semitones in the steps or th other devices; ant the ends of said hloc s being adapted to he place 1 t said verticai extensions, the hlocKs bci arranged 1n proper successive or to mate the pitches in the scale.

Apparatus for tee-telling music comprising a plurality of devices each havi g on dge thereof to in- I i hip of the pitches in certa'n scale, the e isions of steps in one direction being substantially equal and the extensions of said steps in the other dis formed alon" rection being varied in pro Jortion to the number of semitones in the musical intervals etween the pitches comprising such scale, each oi said devices having {resignated thereon at the various steps the re spective syllable names of the relative pitches ot the scale; and a series of blocks each representing a musical pitch and having its several pitch names designated thereon, the character on each of said blocks designating a sharped pitch appearing at the opposite end from the character designating a flatted pitch, and certain of said blocks having still other designations on the reverse sides thereof for the pitches respectively represented by such blocks, and on the reverse side of each of such blocks the character designating a sharped pitch appearing at the opposite end name.

JOHN MYRON J OLLS. 

